General Hurricane Information

 Hurricanes are cyclones over water while tornadoes are cyclones over land. 

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year. September is the highest probability month of the season. There is an average of 10 named storms per season according to the National Hurricane Center. A storm gets named as it reaches tropical storm status. Residents and visitors to the area should learn the elevation of where they are in relation to sea level and the storm surge history of the area. Storm surge is a dome-like rise in the ocean level associated with the hurricane. 

Meteorologists classify hurricanes by categories of 1-5 using a scale that measures the wind and speed of the storm. A Tropical Depression has a highest wind speed of 38 miles per hour (33 knots), with some rotary circulation and one or more closed isobars. A Tropical Storm has distinct rotary circulation with wind speeds of 39- 73 miles per hour (34-63 knots), closed isobars and a pressure of 14.0 pounds per square foot. A Hurricane has strong and very pronounced rotary circulation, closed isobars, a pressure of 17 or more pounds per square foot and winds of 74 miles per hour (64 knots) and higher. The devastating class 5 hurricane exceeds wind speed of 156 miles per hour.

The Forecasted 2009 Atlantic Season

The NOAA's projected climate conditions point to a near normal or above normal hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin this year.

(Image courtesy of NOAA)

In its initial outlook for the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June through November, NOAA’s National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center calls for a 50 percent probability of a near-normal season, a 25 percent probability of an above-normal season and a 25 percent probability of a below-normal season. Global weather patterns are imposing a greater uncertainty in the 2009 hurricane season outlook than in recent years. Forecasters say there is a 70 percent chance of having nine to 14 named storms, of which four to seven could become hurricanes, including one to three major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5).

An important measure of the total overall seasonal activity is NOAA’s Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) index, which accounts for the collective intensity and duration of named storms and hurricanes during the season. Based on the above scenarios, we estimate a 70% chance the 2009 seasonal ACE range will be 65%-130% of the median. A value above 117% of the median reflects an above-normal season, and a value below 75% reflects a below-normal season.

    2009 Tropical Cyclone Names (Atlantic)

For more information:
Florida Hurricane Info
NOAA
FEMA
Center for Disease Control - CDC